Real Madrid lost 3-0 at the Emirates against Arsenal, losing the shot at reaching the first UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals. Arsenal won 3-2 on aggregate. Below are my thoughts and views on the match.
Grid View
Real Madrid XI
Arsenal XI
Misa started in goal. Méndez and Lakrar joined the CB duo, making the defensive line together with Olga and Shei on the fullbacks. Toletti and Angeldahl started as the double pivot. Caroline Weir acted as #10 behind Bruun, who led the line, accompanied by Athenea and Linda Caicedo on the wings in the attack. The only change from the first leg was Athenea starting instead of injured Leupolz.
The entire game was completely under Arsenal’s control. Around 45-50% of the passes were being made in Madrid’s defending third throughput the 90 minutes. Olga had her hands full dealing with Chloe Kelly on the right wing who didn’t start in the first leg but definitely made her mark starting this one. Arsenal were sending long balls left and right to the far post and they were right to do so as it’s famously Madrid’s weak spot. Luckily for Las Blancas, Méndez and Lakrar were there for most of them and didn’t have many troubles clearing them away. There were many last-second blocks inside Real Madrid’s penalty area, with masterful defending from Maëlle Lakrar with her well-timed tackles.
The only thing that kept Las Blancas alive in the first half was the fact the defensive line held up well under pressure around and inside the penalty box. Their first shot of the game came in the 41st minute and not a single shot more until the added time of the second half.
The first two goals came from the same exact situation. Chloe Kelly sending crosses from the right wing into the box, which first found Alessia Russo in the first minute of the second half, then Mariona Caldentey 3 minutes later. In both situations, it was Olga letting the crosses pass through, then the goal scorers having been left unmarked in the middle of the penalty area.
The third goal came from a free kick taken by Katie McCabe. Steph Catley received the header, putting it for Russo to take a mid-air volley and put it in for an aggregate lead. Alessia Russo got two goals annulled for offside later on.
The two quickfire goals at the beginning of the second half were a long time coming. Both goals scored from open play were scored in the same way, with numerous more similar chances coming from Olga’s side. Toril reacted very late, making the first substitutions in 76’. Las Blancas did manage two late corner kicks and 3 more shots, to make it 4 shots in total for the white club. The lack of a plan was evident from the start on Toril’s side. While there were close to no changes on Madrid’s side, Reneé Sleers putting on Chloe Kelly from the start, with Russo as a striker and Maanum behind her as a #10 made a whole lot of difference for the Gunners while Las Blancas just sat behind and waited for the chances to come.
An embarrassing throw-away after a 2-0 lead from the first leg. Missed opportunity to reach the first Champions League semifinal. One more game in March remains - the fourth encounter with Real Sociedad this season, on Sunday, March 30th.